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- India and Nigeria have mutually agreed to accelerate the implementation of the Local Currency Settlement System Agreement, with the objective of bolstering bilateral trade between the two nations.
- Under this agreement, trade settlements will be conducted using the Indian rupee and the Nigerian naira, streamlining transactions and fostering economic cooperation.
- The session, held from April 29 to 30, 2024, delineated various areas aimed at augmenting bilateral trade relations between India and Nigeria.
- The Bhadra Tiger Reserve, situated within Karnataka's Western Ghats, has experienced a notable increase in the number of visitors opting for safaris, indicating growing tourist interest in the area.
- Visitors are urged to exercise caution and respect the delicate ecosystem of this eco-sensitive zone while exploring the reserve.
- The reserve is nourished by the Bhadra River and features a variety of vegetation ranging from dry-deciduous to semi-evergreen, which includes valuable species like teak and medicinal plants.
- India and Indonesia convened their seventh Joint Defence Cooperation Committee meeting in New Delhi, underscoring their commitment to deepening collaboration in various areas of defense.
- The discussions during the meeting centered on broadening cooperation in the defense industry, maritime security, and multilateral initiatives aimed at enhancing security in the region.
- According to Reporters Without Borders, India's World Press Freedom Index score experienced a decline from 36.62 to 31.28 in 2024, indicating a concerning trend in press freedom within the country.
- This annual report evaluates the state of journalism freedoms in 180 nations worldwide, providing a comprehensive assessment of the media landscape.
- The IIP serves as a gauge for tracking fluctuations in the quantity of industrial output within a specified timeframe.
- It is prepared and released on a monthly basis by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO), a division of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
- This index is a comprehensive measure, encompassing the growth rates of various industrial sectors categorized by:
- Major sectors: Mining, Manufacturing, and Electricity.
- End-use sectors: Basic Goods, Capital Goods, and Intermediate Goods.
- NPCI International Payments Ltd. (NIPL) inked a deal with the Bank of Namibia to develop a real-time instant payment platform inspired by India's Unified Payment Interface (UPI).
- This upcoming system aims to expedite Person-to-Person (P2P) and Person-to-Merchant (P2M) transactions, fostering financial accessibility for marginalized communities.
The Protocol designates Antarctica as a sanctuary for peace and scientific exploration.
- It establishes fundamental guidelines for human conduct on the continent, banning mineral resource exploitation except for scientific endeavors.
- Amendments to the Protocol require unanimous consent from all Consultative Parties until 2048, and any alteration to the prohibition on mineral extraction necessitates a binding legal framework.
- NADA India recently wrapped up its #PlayTrue Campaign, aligning with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)'s Play True Day.
- The campaign underscores NADA India's dedication to educating athletes, coaches, and the broader sports community on anti-doping protocols, empowering them to uphold fair play standards across India.
- This initiative provided a pivotal platform for athletes and stakeholders to unite, share knowledge, and devise strategies to fortify India's anti-doping framework in preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
- Scientists have uncovered the world's deepest blue hole located in the eastern Yucatán Peninsula, also referred to as the Taam Ja' Blue Hole (TJBH).
- Chetumal sits at the estuary of the Hondo River, adjacent to the Bay of Chetumal, an arm of the Caribbean Sea, positioned at an elevation of approximately 20 feet (6 meters) above sea level.
- The city's roots trace back to a pre-existing Mayan community, with Chetumal becoming a focal point of conflict during the colonial period as Spanish conquistadors and indigenous Maya vied for control.
- The Finance Minister has refuted speculations suggesting that the Income Tax Department intends to implement alterations in the capital gains tax framework should the government secure victory in the ongoing Lok Sabha 2024 elections.
- Capital gains refer to the profits derived from the sale of any capital asset.
- Examples of capital assets include land, buildings, vehicles, patents, trademarks, machinery, and jewelry, along with rights associated with Indian companies, management, control, or other legal rights.
- Capital gains can be categorized as short-term or long-term based on the duration of asset ownership.